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Project Instructions
This collection contains convict ledgers from the Texas prison system from the years 1849-1970. Keyers will be keying convict number, name, age, birth information, residence information, and date of arrival at the prison.

The records are entered in a ledger format and are a mix of handwritten and typed entries.
Images titled "Convict Record" will be keyed using the Convict Ledger form type. Images labeled "Index to Records" will not be keyed and should be marked as "Cover page, Section header, etc.".

Convict Ledgers

Convict ledgers have all convicts that entered the Texas prison system, in order of their convict number. These forms include information such as name, age, race, height, weight, conviction day, receival date, nativity, occupation and term.

Convict Number

Key the Convict Number as seen. The number was given to a convict when they enter the Texas prison system. It will typically be found in the far left hand column.

Prefix

Key any titles before the Given name, such as "Dr", "Rev", "Mr" or "Mrs", using a dictionary if provided for assistance. If a prefix does not appear in a dictionary then key the prefix as seen.

Given

Key the first name or initial and any middle names of the primary person to whom the record pertains using a dictionary if provided for assistance. If a name does not appear in the dictionary then key the name as seen.

Surname

Key the Surname using the dictionary provided for assistance. If the surname does not appear in the dictionary then key the surname as seen.

Suffix

Key all titles, such as "Jr" or "III", following the surname of the primary person to whom the record applies using a dictionary if provided for assistance. If a suffix does not appear in a dictionary then key the suffix as seen.

Given Alias

Key the alias given name which appears using the dictionary for assistance. If an alias given name is not in the dictionary, key as seen. Occasionally an alternate name may be recorded for a given individual. This name may be denoted by parentheses, quotation marks, or may be preceded by the abbreviation "for" or the word "formerly".

Given Surname

Key the alias surname which appears using the dictionary for assistance. If an alias surname is not in the dictionary, key as seen. Occasionally an alternate name may be recorded for a given individual. This name may be denoted by parentheses, quotation marks, or may be preceded by the abbreviation "for" or the word "formerly".

Age

Key the age at the time of arrival to the prison from the age column.

Birth Year

Key the birth year as seen from the date of birth column when present on the image.

Birthplace

Key the birth place from the record using the dictionary provided for assistance. If a location is not found in the dictionary then key the location as seen. This will be located in the column marked "Birthplace" or "Nativity."

Place of Residence

Key the residence location for the convict. Located in the "Residence" column.

Record Month

Key the month in its three-letter abbreviation the convict was received by the prison using the dictionary provided. The record date is located in the "When Received" column. If ditto marks (") are seen, key the month from above.

Record Day

Key the day the convict was received by the prison. The record date is located in the "When Received" column. If ditto marks (") are seen, key the day from above.

Record Year

Key the year as seen the convict was received by the prison. The record date is located in the "When Received" column. Typically the year appears in two digits, but could also be in 4 digits. Do not expand 2 digit years. If ditto marks (") are seen, key the year from above. Sometimes the year is only given at the top of the column and must be keyed to all records on that image.

Cover page, Section header, etc.

Use the “Cover page, Section header, etc” type for images that don’t contain any data, but might be interesting to look at because they provide some type of context for the image set. For instance, historical notes, affidavits, and so forth.

Image with no data

Use the “Image with no data” type for images that don’t contain any data or any useful context that might be interesting for someone to look at. For instance, an image containing only the blank background or an image with a microfilm target on it.